Man could not recall biting assault

A Coleraine man who couldn’t recall biting a man on his left cheek exited the courtroom still clutching a picture of the injuries which he had been ordered to take a look at by the District Judge.

Christopher Duffin (33), of Strathard Close in The Heights area, also assaulted the man’s sister during the incident on October 4 last year, Coleraine Magistrates Court heard.

He was in court for sentencing on two charges of assault.

A prosecutor said Duffin had shared a taxi from Portstewart to Coleraine around 2am and after an incident with the woman her brother intervened but he was bitten on the cheek and kicked and punched and when the woman tried to stop it she too was kicked and punched.

When arrested Duffin made full admissions but said he couldn’t remember the assaults due to his high level of intoxication.

District Judge Liam McNally looked through photos and said they looked “gory enough” and he asked courtroom staff to take a picture to the dock to let Duffin look at it.

A defence lawyer said Duffin was “thoroughly ashamed” of his actions which were out of character but that on the date in question he had drank to excess.

Duffin was sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay a total of £350 compensation to the injured parties.